In his first year as Cardinals head coach, Jonathan Gannon is facing an uphill battle, as Arizona is projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. Still, Gannon needs to find a way to get his team to exceed those expectations and surprise some people.
In a recent video from the team’s Cards Flight Plan series, Gannon tries to pump up his team. But he did so in a very awkward way.
“Who drove over here? Quick, let me see your hands. Who took the bus? Did you have fire in your gut? Did you?” Gannon asked his team in a relatively subdued tone. “We’re here for a reason. Don’t get that twisted. O.K. we’re here for a reason to win games.
“So if you didn’t have that fire in your gut, you better light the fire pretty fast. Be who you are. Just understand, I’m looking for f—ing killers.”
Cardinals’ HC Jonathan Gannon tries to set the tone for the season in the latest episode of #CardsFlightPlan, “Coach and the Coordinators”.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2023
Now available on Cardinals YouTube channel: https://t.co/c6IWkLjvlw pic.twitter.com/sXbislaAFv
On social media, fans and analysts had more questions than answers when it comes to Gannon’s motivational tactics.
Nvm, they might actually go 0-17 https://t.co/Or9Zd79O2u
— Tom Grossi (@tomgrossicomedy) September 1, 2023
If this were Madden and you’re a Cardinals fan you’d auto-skip to the next season. https://t.co/INFwqJC0Ee
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) September 1, 2023
I cannot imagine what was left on the cutting room floor if this bit not only made the show but was specifically chosen for a promo clip https://t.co/XhqxhxI2dL
— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) September 1, 2023
The true test will come on the field but man he just seems like an inauthentic leader https://t.co/9Ig7xJltZR
— Nico (@elitetakes_) September 1, 2023
keep in mind that this was the most inspiring footage they could publish, these were the highlights https://t.co/qINEKKJhLy
— Matt Carey (@RealMattCarey) September 1, 2023
One. And. Done. https://t.co/TymxE1Brrc
— John Stolnis (@JohnStolnis) September 1, 2023
Gannon already caught the attention of fans when he decided not to name a starting quarterback for Week 1. The head coach, who spent the past two years as the Eagles defensive coordinator, is hoping to surpass expectations in what is likely to be a rebuilding year in Arizona.